Courtesy: IRNA


Pakistan makes debut in Futsal through women

Islamabad, May 2, IRNA

Pakistan will make international debut in another team sport through women, not men, when Jordan Football Association (JFA) will host Women Futsal Championship at Jordanian capital of Amman from 11-18 May 2006, Pakistan Football Federation said on Tuesday.

JFA awarded the event to Amman Club in which Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Jordan's three clubs Orthodox Club, Amman Club and Shabab Ordon are other competitors.

Futsal, one of the 78 Sports that involve teams, is the indoor version of soccer that is officially sanctioned by football's international governing body, the Federation International Football Association (FIFA).

Futsal is a sport that is a derivative of soccer and played with five-player teams on a basketball style court, with no walls. It is played with a smaller, heavier, low bounce ball designed to encourage a fast-paced, exciting game with the emphasis on skill, flair and technical ability.

Brazilian superstars Pele, Zico and Socrates credit Futsal in developing their skills.

Women's football has existed in the country and there are quite a number of teams.

However, this is the first time we are going to play in a competition that's open to the general public, Robina Irfan said who is Chairperson of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Women Wing.

Bahrain, who defeated Abu Dhabi 3-2 in the final of the Arab Women's Soccer Championship at the Abu Dhabi Officers Club grounds on 27 February 2006 will be one of the favorites.

Lebanon, Palestine and Syria will gain useful practice from May's event as they are to appear in first Arab nation women's football championship which will be held from 19-29 April in Alexandria, Egypt.

According to 11th April draws, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and Palestine are in Group A while Algeria, Morocco and Lebanon comprise Group B.

Robina stressed the importance of women sports in reinforcing and continuing the exchange of expertise.

She said this served as a means of spreading the sports culture giving an opportunity to all Arab women to take part in these activities.

PFF picked 49 women players from First National Women Soccer championship 2005 and the Camp to finalize first-ever National Women Football Team of Pakistan is in progress at Football House Lahore.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com